Mexico Launches National Beach Cleanup Strategy Across Coasts

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) marked World Beach Cleanup Day on Sept. 20 with a coastal cleanup in Ensenada, as part of the National Strategy for Beach and Coastal Cleaning and Conservation 2025-2030. The initiative, announced by President Claudia Sheinbaum in June, involves federal, state, and municipal authorities.

Marina Robles, Deputy Minister of Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration, SEMARNAT, highlighted the scale of plastic pollution in the oceans. “Each year 13Mt of plastics end up in the sea. This is equivalent to dumping a truckload of plastic into the ocean every minute,” she said. She emphasized the risks plastics pose to marine life, including entanglement and ingestion, as well as the health impacts of microplastics consumed through water, food, and air.

Robles noted that Baja California ranks second in beach adoption within the program, which has seen participation from 15 states. Three months after its launch, the initiative has advanced along 561km of coastline, with 121 beaches adopted across 15 states, 48 municipalities, and 90 adopting groups. The 2025 target is to cover 1,200km of coast. She invited additional participation from Sonora and Veracruz.

To reinforce the strategy, SEMARNAT launched the #PlayaSinPlastico (#BeachesWithoutPlastic) contest, encouraging citizens to learn about single-use plastic pollution and participate in beach cleanup and conservation efforts. Adults residing in Mexico can submit videos to their personal social media accounts using the hashtag #PlayaSinPlastico and tagging the ministry’s accounts.

Claudia Agatón, Mayor, Ensenada, said hosting the event underscores the importance of beaches beyond recreation, noting their role in biodiversity, cultural identity, and economic development. “What we do here, even if it seems small, has a large impact. Every bottle, bag, or piece of plastic we collect today is a relief for our flora, fauna, and ultimately for ourselves,” she said.

Mónica Juliana Vega, Baja California Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, said the cleanup represents a unified effort across society, academia, the private sector, and all levels of government. “Today we are called to a common cause: protecting our coasts, which are a source of life, economic development, cultural identity, and pride for Baja California and Mexico,” she stated.